Rebel death toll in San Joaquin encounter rises to 4
ILOILO City – The number of rebels killed in Barangay Torocadan, San Joaquin, Iloilo rose to four on Thursday from an initial three.
The body of Rena Rhea Camariosa, known as Ka Kira/ Sheena, was recovered yesterday morning during follow- up operations after Wednesday’s clash between Philippine Army troops and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.
According to Brigadier General Michael Samson, commander of the Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade, Camariosa – a resident of Barangay Camabaan, San Joaquin – was a daughter of Nahum Camariosa alias “Bebong,” the suspected leader of the NPA’s Southern Panay Front, Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (SPF KR-Panay).
The three others whose bodies were recovered on Wednesday were the following:
* Jonathan Sasi Sanogal, also known as Ka Jeros, a member of Squad SM, Puregold Platoon, from Barangay Langca, San Joaquin (body taken to Siscar Funeral Service in Barangay Palaca, Miag-ao town)
* Patrick Reovoca, alias Ka Kim, a member of Squad Gaisano, Puregold Platoon, from Barangay Alegre, Sebaste, Antique; and
* Mario Reovoca, alias Mike/ Jaguar, a Squad Leader of RSDG Platoon, also from Barangay Alegre, Sebaste, Antique (body taken to Sumagpao Funeral Homes, Santa Barbara, Iloilo).
Meanwhile, a wounded suspected rebel was captured – Rocel Nabua Esmediana, alias Ka Michelle/Nitchelle, a squad member of the PUREGOLD Platoon, SPF KR-P, from Sitio Burak, Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao.
Currently receiving care at the San Joaquin Mother and Child Hospital, it was Esmediana who identified the casualties.
Samson said the rebels’ group, consisting of 20 to 30 fighters, was planning a meeting likely for coordinating attacks or operations against government forces.
“They were caught off guard, unaware of our soldiers’ proximity. Thanks to information from local residents, we managed to preempt their plans,” said Samson.
The group engaged with the Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion personnel at 3:20 a.m., Wednesday.
Lieutenant Colonel J- Jay Javines, spokesperson for the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said the 61IB acted on intelligence from locals about armed individuals in the area’s mountains.